Low carryover fitting and method for coupling tubing to a device using the same

ABSTRACT

A fitting assembly for coupling tubing to a device having a sealing surface is provided. The fitting includes a ferrule for seating against the sealing surface. The ferrule has a head. The ferrule is formed from a first material. A reusable collar having a bevelled rear surface and an inner surface is provided. The inner surface has a ring for gripping the tubing. The collar is formed of a second material that may differ from the first material and may be malleable. A coupler engages the head of the ferrule to push the ferrule against the sealing surface. The coupler has a ramped inner surface for engaging the rear surface to push the collar against the head of the ferrule. The coupler compresses the collar radially to grip the tubing.

Continuation-in-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/040,426, filed Mar.31, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,581.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fittings for fluidic deviceapplications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Low carryover fittings are required to couple tubing to a device in manyapplications. For example, a fitting may be used to handle corrosivefluid or gas in an inert manner, or to connect tubing to a bloodchemistry analyzer, medical chemical analyzer, DNA research equipment,chromatography equipment, nuclear atomic trace equipment, or otherprecision fluidic application.

For these applications, the fitting must provide a leak proof connectionwith substantially zero carryover. Carryover occurs when there is anonflushable dead volume in a system flow passage or component, whichtypically occurs when there is an abrupt change in diameter in thepassage or component. The dead volume is the quantity of the sampleretained inside the passage after flushing with a specified volume. Thisdead volume may retain material to contaminate subsequent samples orfluids. For the applications listed above, carryover is unacceptable.

As shown in FIG. 11, typical prior art ferrules, such as ferrule 1320have a tail section 1326 with a blunt end 1326a. Alternatively, tail1326 may have a rounded corner 1326b. When tubing 1364 is forced overthe blunt end 1326 of ferrule 1320, there is a large dead volume 1369,resulting in substantial carryover, even if the passage 1328 is flushed.

A known low carryover fitting for use with tetraflouroethylene (TFE)tubing is the 125 Minstac fitting manufactured by the Lee Company ofWestbrook, Conn. The fitting includes an internally threaded collet orsleeve that grips the outer diameter of the tubing end. The end of thetubing is chamfered to receive a ferrule having a cone shaped tail thatis received by the chamfer in the tubing. The ferrule has a cone shapedhead that seats against a chamfered sealing surface in the device. Acoupling screw acts like a compression fitting and presses the chamferedend of the tubing against the tail of the ferrule.

Several steps are involved in the use of the Minstac fitting. In orderto use the fitting, a special tool called a collet tool is needed tocrimp the collet onto the tubing. A second tool, called a chamfer tool,is used to chamfer the tubing. This may be particularly difficult withslippery tube materials such as TFE. In order to provide sufficientcompression to form a seal between the tubing and the device, withoutdamaging the tubing or the ferrule, the coupling screw must be tightenedwithin a limited range of torque. Typically a special torque wrench isused to tighten the coupling screw. If excessive torque is applied, theferrule may push the tubing out of the collet. Furthermore, soft tubingmaterials, such as TFE composites, can deform inward, so that the colletmay not grip them securely enough.

A low carryover fitting is desired that is simple to install andrequires no special tools. It is also desired that the fitting includesa mechanism to prevent damage due to excessive torque.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a fitting assembly for coupling tubing to adevice having a sealing surface. The fitting includes a ferrule forseating against the sealing surface. The ferrule has a head. A collar isprovided, having a bevelled rear surface and an inner surface forgripping the tubing. The collar is split along a longitudinal direction.A coupler engages the head of the ferrule to push the ferrule againstthe sealing surface. The coupler also grips the tubing and compressesthe tubing material radially against the body of the ferrule to form aleak tight interface between ferrule and tubing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1a is an exploded perspective view of a fitting and installationtool according to the invention.

FIG. 1b is an elevation view of the fitting shown in FIG. 1a, duringassembly.

FIG. 1c is a cross sectional view of the fitting of FIG. 1a, installedin a device.

FIG. 1d is a cross sectional view of the fitting of FIG. 1a, modified toinclude a non-metallic ferrule and a washer.

FIGS. 2a-2c are cross sectional views of a second embodiment of theinvention, during different stages of assembly.

FIG. 2d is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of theinvention shown in FIGS. 2a-2c.

FIG. 3a is a cross sectional view of the fitting of FIG. 2d, installedin a device.

FIGS. 3b-3d are enlarged cross sections of features of the embodiment ofFIG. 3a.

FIG. 4a is an elevation view of the ferrule shown in FIG. 2d.

FIG. 4b is a partial cross sectional view of the coupling nut shown inFIG. 2d.

FIG. 4c is a cross sectional view of the sleeve shown in FIG. 2d.

FIGS. 5a and 5b are plan and elevation views of the protective ferruleholder shown in FIG. 2d.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the holder shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of theholder shown in FIG. 6, and the ferrule shown in FIG. 4a.

FIGS. 8a-8l are elevation views of alternative embodiments of theferrule shown in FIG. 4a.

FIGS. 9a-9d are cross sectional views of variations of the sleeve shownin FIG. 4c.

FIGS. 9e-9h are partial cross sectional views of two additionalembodiments of the sleeve shown in FIG. 4c.

FIGS. 9i and 9j are cross sectional views of additional variations ofthe sleeve shown in FIG. 4c.

FIGS. 10a and 10b are partial cross sectional view of variations of thenut shown in FIG. 4b.

FIG. 11 shows an enlarged feature of a typical prior art fitting.

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of the ferrule shown in FIG. 8i.

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the ferrule shown in FIG. 8j.

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of the sleeve shown in FIG. 9j.

FIGS. 15a and 15b are cross sectional views of a further embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 15c end view of the sleeve shown in FIG. 15a.

FIG. 15d is a cross sectional view of the sleeve shown in FIG. 15c.

FIG. 15e is a cross sectional view of the nut shown in FIG. 15a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Overview

FIG. 1a is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary low carryoverfitting assembly in accordance with the invention. The fitting includesa ferrule 220 and a coupler 70 in the form of a nut that provides ameans for coupling a section of tubing 64 to a chamfered sealing surface16 of device 18 (shown in FIG. 1c). Device 18 may be a blood chemistryanalyzer, a medical chemical analyzer, DNA research equipment,chromatography equipment, nuclear atomic trace equipment, or otherprecision fluidic apparatus. An assembly tool 180 is used to hold andprotect ferrule 220 during tubing installation and to align the tubing64, as explained below with reference to FIG. 1b.

FIG. 1b is an exploded elevation view showing ferrule 220 in place onshaft 181 of tool 180. Ferrule 220 is also shown in elevation view inFIG. 8a. Ferrule 220 has a tapered head 222 that seats against thechamfered sealing surface 16 within a conventional bore of device 18(shown in FIG. 1c). Ferrule 220 has a tapered tail 226 terminating in aknife sharp edge 232, and a body 224 integrally connecting the head 222and the tail 226. The ferrule 220 has an axial passage 228 that is atleast as large in diameter as the inside diameter 65 of the tubing 64,and may be up to about 3% larger than the nominal size of the tubing.

Tool 180 has a shaft 181 that extends through the axial passage 228 offerrule 220. Shaft 181 has a rounded tip 184. It is contemplated thatthe invention may be practiced using other tapered tip profiles. Shaft181 is longer than ferrule 220, and larger in diameter than the insidediameter 65 of tubing 64 by 0.002-0.004 inches. The shaft 181 may beformed of any suitably hard material, and the handle 189 shape isoptional.

The end of tubing 64 is cut square; no chamfer is needed. This cuttingoperation may be performed with an ordinary knife or razor. To assemblethe fitting, coupling nut 70 is slipped onto the tubing 64. Then tubing64 is gripped, either using a bare hand, or a piece of grit cloth.Tubing 64 is pushed over the tip 184 of the shaft 181. This guides thetubing 64 to the outer surface of the tail 226 of ferrule 220. Tubing 64is pushed further, till it surrounds body 224 and tail 226 of ferrule220. Then, tool 180 is removed, and coupling nut 70 is slid over tail226 and body 224 of ferrule 220.

As shown in the example of FIG. 1c, coupler 70 may be in the form of anut having a cylindrical rearward section 74 that is smaller in insidediameter than forward section 78. Coupling nut 70 has a ramped innersurface 76 integrally connecting the forward and rearward sections 78and 74. Coupling nut 70 has a front surface 79 that engages the head 222of ferrule 220 to push the head 222 against surface 16 of device 18.Tubing 64 is compressed between tapered shoulder 76 of nut 70 and tail226 of ferrule 220, when coupling nut 70 is tightened, cold flowingtubing 64. FIG. 1c is a cross sectional view showing the configurationof the fitting after it is inserted into chamfered sealing surface 16 ofdevice 18 and tightened. Tubing material flows in region 68 between body224 of ferrule 220 and forward section 78 of coupling nut 70, forming anenlarged annular ring of tubing material around body 224 of ferrule 220.The enlarged annular ring in region 68 effectively prevents tubing 64from being pulled out.

FIG. 2d is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of theinvention. The fitting includes a ferrule 20, a sleeve 50 and a couplingnut 70 for coupling a section of tubing 64 to a device 18 (shown in FIG.3a). In this embodiment of the invention, the coupling means includecoupling nut 70 and sleeve 50 (compared to the embodiment of FIG. 1a, inwhich the coupling means only includes nut 70). Sleeve 50 substantiallyprevents twisting of the tubing 64 by coupling nut 70 when nut 70 istightened. A holder 80 is used to hold and protect ferrule 20 duringhandling, and plays an additional role in installing ferrule 20 in thetubing 64, as explained below with reference to FIGS. 2a through 2c.

FIG. 2a is a cross sectional view of an exemplary ferrule 20 in itsholder 80, before the fitting is attached to tubing 64. Ferrule 20 isalso shown in elevation view in FIG. 4a. Features that are identical inferrule 20 and ferrule 220 have reference numerals with the same lasttwo digits, for ease of comparison.

Referring to FIG. 2a, holder 80 has a front wall 86 against which thehead 22 of the ferrule 20 seats. A side wall 87 (shown in FIG. 5b)substantially surrounds the head 22 of ferrule 20 to protect the head22. Holder 80 has a shaft 81 that extends through the axial passage 28of ferrule 20. Shaft 81 has a proximal portion 82 and a tip 84. Theproximal portion 82 of the shaft is longer than ferrule 20, andsubstantially equal to the tubing inside diameter or larger in diameterthan the inside diameter 65 of tubing 64 by a few percent.

To assemble the fitting, coupling nut 70 and sleeve 50 (shown in FIG.2c) are slipped onto the tubing 64. Then tubing 64 is gripped and pushedover the tip 84 of the shaft 81. This guides the tubing 64 to the outersurface of the tail 26 of ferrule 20. Tubing 64 is pushed further, tillit surrounds body 24 and tail 26 of ferrule 20, as shown in FIG. 2b.Then, as shown in FIG. 2c, the latches 89a and 89b of holder 80 arepulled apart, releasing ferrule 20. The holder is removed and may bediscarded. Sleeve 50 and coupling nut 70 are slid over the tail 26 andbody 24 of ferrule 20.

As shown in FIG. 2c, sleeve 50 has a cylindrical rearward section 62that is smaller in inside diameter than forward section 58. Sleeve 50has a shouldered outer surface 54 and a ramped inner surface 60integrally connecting the internal diameters of forward and rearwardsections 58 and 62. Sleeve 50 may also have a cylindrical forwardsection 58 that is shorter in length than the body 24 of ferrule 20, asshown. In this embodiment, tubing is compressed between tail 26 of theferrule and the ramped inner surface 60 of the sleeve. A region isdefined between the coupling means and body 24 of ferrule 20,specifically, between sleeve 50 and body 24.

Front surface 79 of coupling nut 70 engages head 22 of ferrule 20 topush head 22 against surface 16 of device 18 (shown in FIG. 3a). Innershoulder 76 of nut 70 engages the shouldered outer surface 54 of sleeve50, to move sleeve 50 towards the head 22 of ferrule 20 when couplingnut 70 is tightened. FIG. 3a is a cross sectional view showing theconfiguration of the fitting after it is inserted into device 18 andtightened. Tubing 64 is compressed between tail 26 of ferrule 20 and theramped inner surface 60 of sleeve 50. By adding sleeve 50, radialtwisting of tubing 64 is avoided. Nut 70 pushes sleeve 50 forwardwithout rotating sleeve 50 about its longitudinal axis.

The assembly, as described with reference to FIGS 1a-1c and 2a-2d, hasseveral advantages over the fittings of the prior art. Ferrules 20 and220 are formed of titanium, or other suitably hard material, that doesnot yield while nut 70 is tightened over a wide range of torques. Thus,coupling nut 70 may be tightened with a conventional wrench (instead ofa customized torque wrench) without harming the ferrule 20, 220 or theseal. Because they are used below their yield stress, ferrules 20 and220 are reusable.

FIG. 3d is an enlarged cross sectional view of the sharp edge 32 of tail26 of ferrule 20. The diameter of passage 28 is equal to the innerdiameter 65 of tubing 64, or larger than diameter 65 by a minimalamount, such as 0.002 inches. The edge 32 of tail 26 is sharp. Thus,there is substantially zero dead volume 69 at the edge 32 of tail 26.This feature of the invention results in a fitting with substantiallyzero carryover, in contrast to the prior art ferrule, shown in FIG. 11.

Because of the sharp edge 32 on tail 26, holder 80 plays an importantrole in protecting ferrule 20 from damage during shipping and handling.Both holder 80 and tool 180 play an additional role in protecting thetubing 64 during assembly. The material of tail 26 is very thin at therearward end 32. Shaft 82 of holder 80 is long enough to align thetubing concentric with shaft 82 and ferrule 20. The concentric alignmentand the small clearance between shaft 82 and the tail 26 of ferrule 20allow tubing 64 to be pushed over the edge 32 of ferrule 20 withoutgouging inner wall 65 of tubing 64. Holder shaft 81 (or tool shaft 181)prevents gouging of tubing 64 and permits use of a knife sharp edge 32;this in turn results in low dead volume 69 for substantially zerocarryover.

FIG. 3b is an enlarged cross sectional view showing how tubing 64deforms to create an effective seal when ferrule 20 is used. Whencoupling nut 70 is tightened, tubing 64 is compressed between an insidecorner 61 of sleeve 50 and the tail 26 of ferrule 20. When tubing 64 isinitially pushed over ferrule 20, the tubing is substantially straight,as shown in phantom by surface 65a. After tightening, the pressure fromthe compressed region of tubing 64 causes the tubing material to flowinto region 68 and into groove 30, as shown in phantom by surfaces 65band 65c. The combination of the compressed tubing between corner 61 andtail 26, and the cold flowed material in region 68 that flows intogroove 30 grips tubing 64 so firmly that if subjected to severe tensileloading, no leakage occurs at the fitting, and the tubing 64 yieldsuntil it fails in tension, rather than being pulled out of the fitting.Typically, in either prior art low carryover fittings or conventionalplastic tubing fittings, the tubing can be pulled partially out of thefitting, causing leakage, or pulled completely out of the fittingwithout any yielding occurring.

THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS THE FERRULE

FIG. 8ais an elevation view of an embodiment of a ferrule 220 inaccordance with the invention. FIG. 4a is an elevation view of theembodiment of ferrule 20 that is shown in FIG. 1. FIGS. 8b-8g areelevation views showing additional exemplary embodiments of ferrules120, 320, 420, 520, 620, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120 and 1220 inaccordance with the invention. In FIGS. 4a, 8a-8l of the ferrule 20through 1220, the reference numerals of common features have the samelast two digits (e.g., heads 22 through 722) for convenience ininterpreting the drawings.

Referring first to FIG. 8a, ferrule 220 may be formed of titanium orother suitably hard material (e.g., Kel-F^(R) brandpolychlorotriflouroethylene (PCTFE), marketed by the 3M corporation).Ferrule 220 must be made from a material hard enough to provide innersupport for tubing 64, so that the tubing cold flows when compressedbetween ferrule 220 and nut 70 (or sleeve 50 if sleeve 50 is used).Titanium and PCTFE have the additional advantage of being non-reactive.Ferrule 220 has a tapered head 222 that seats against the device 18 andterminates in a sharp edge 234. In the exemplary ferrule 220 head 222 isconical.

FIG. 1d shows an embodiment of the fitting in which the ferrule 220 isformed of PCTFE. A metal washer (preferably stainless steel) 223 appliespressure against the head 222 of ferrule 220 to squeeze head 222 againstthe sealing surface for a positive seal.

Ferrule 220 has a tapered tail 226 terminating in a sharp edge 232. Theexemplary tail 226 is also conical. A body 224 integrally connects head222 and tail 226. Ferrule 220 has an axial passage 228 that may belarger in diameter than the inside diameter 65 of the tubing 64 bybetween 0.003 and 0.004 inches. Ideally, the ferrule inside diameter(ID) is the same as the tubing ID 65. Because there are variations inthe tubing diameter, it may be more practical to make the insidediameter 228 of ferrule 220 equal to the upper limit on the size of thetubing ID 65. It is preferable for passage 228 to be slightly largerthan tubing ID 64, than for passage 228 to be smaller.

The tail 226 of ferrule 220 terminates in a sharp edge (i.e., notrounded) that forms an acute angle 229, preferably 15 degrees, withrespect to the longitudinal axis of ferrule 520. The acute conical shapeforces the tubing 64 material into compression when tubing 64 is pushedonto ferrule 220. The tubing 64 material is thus cold flowed. After nut70 is tightened to seal the fitting, the cold flow continues. Tubing 64material creeps forward to fill the space provided forward of tail 226.As described below, there are many embodiments of ferrule 226 thatprovide space along the body 224, into which space the material is coldflowed.

Referring now to FIG. 3c, an enlarged cross-section of an exemplaryferrule head 22 is shown in its chamfered sealing surface 16. It isunderstood that the respective heads 22 through 722 are similar in eachrespective embodiment of ferrule 20 through 720 as shown in FIGS. 8a-8k;the description of the head 222 is not repeated for each embodiment.Before coupling nut 70 is tightened, head 22 has an angle 12 withrespect to the longitudinal axis of ferrule 20, as shown in phantom bysurface 22. Sealing surface 16 has a respective angle 14 with respect tothe same axis. Angle 12 is less than angle 14. The difference betweenangle 12 and angle 14 is very small (typically a fraction of a degree),so that head 22 deforms to fit sealing surface 16, as shown by surface22a in FIG. 3c.

The sharp edge 34 deforms elastically when nut 70 is tightened, forminga tight seal between head 22 and sealing surface 16 of device 18.Because the deformation is below the proportional limit of the material,ferrule 20 substantially returns to its original shape when removed fromdevice 18, and is reusable. Once coupling nut 70 pushes ferrule 20against seat 16, nut 70 may be subjected to large torques without anyunfavorable effect. Increasing the torque further on nut 70 compresseshead 22, but does not affect the position of the ferrule 20 or sleeve 50substantially.

Ferrule 20, as shown in FIG. 4a, also includes a groove 30, into whichthe tubing material flows when the assembly is installed. This groove isdiscussed above with reference to FIG. 3b. A shoulder 36 separatesgroove 30 from tail 26.

Referring now to FIG. 8b, another embodiment of ferrule 120 is shown.Ferrule 120 includes the features of Ferrule 220, as shown in FIG. 8a.Ferrule 120 includes at least one land 121a, for gripping tubing 64. Theexemplary ferrule 120 includes two lands 121a and 121b. When tubing 64is forced over lands 121a and 121b, the tubing material flows from thelocation of the lands 121a and 121b to region 125 between the lands, toregion 126, and to a region surrounding body 124.

FIG. 8c shows another embodiment of ferrule 320, in which the groove 330is located immediately adjacent to the tail 26. Groove 330 of ferrule320 also has a rectangular cross section, as compared to groove 30 inFIG. 4a, which has a trapezoidal cross section. The rectangular crosssection of groove 330 provides additional space into which the materialof tubing 64 flows.

FIG. 8d shows an embodiment of ferrule 420 having two grooves 430 and442 separated by a shoulder 424. The additional groove 442 providesadditional gripping ability.

FIG. 8e shows an embodiment of ferrule 520. This embodiment of ferrule520 has at least one circumferential barb 544a. Exemplary ferrule 520has two barbs 544a and 544b for gripping the internal surface of tubing64. The barbs 544a and 544b have an effect similar to that of the groove30 shown in FIG. 4a. A region 525 of ferrule 520 has a diameter that issmaller than the diameter of either barb 544a, 544b. When tubing 64 isforced over the barbs 544a and 544b, and the coupling nut 70 tightened,material flows from the region in which barbs 544a and 544b are locatedto the regions 527 and 525 in front of the respective barbs 544a and544b.

The barbed embodiment of FIG. 8e has advantages and disadvantagesrelative to the grooved embodiment of FIG. 4a. The barb 544a providesgreater resistance to prevent tubing 64 from pulling off of ferrule 520.0n the other hand, more effort is required to push tubing 64 over barb544a of ferrule 520, relative to the grooved ferrule 20. A small (e.g.,approximately 0.02 inches) flat circumferential surface 545a, 545b maybe placed at the edge of each barb, as shown in FIG. 8e.

FIG. 8f shows another embodiment of the ferrule 620, having two barbs644a and 644b, and two grooves 631 and 630, each in front of arespective barb. The grooves provide additional space into which thetubing material flows.

FIG. 8g shows another embodiment of the ferrule 720, having a knurledsurface 724. The tubing material flows into the crevices of the knurledsurface 724, so that the tubing is effectively gripped.

FIG. 8h shows another embodiment of the ferrule 820, in which the body824 includes a plurality of axial splines 801 for gripping the internalsurface 65 of the tubing 64.

FIGS. 8i and 12 show another embodiment of the ferrule 920, in which thebody 924 includes a plurality of axial slots 901 for receiving thecompressed tubing.

FIGS. 8j and 13 show an additional embodiment of the ferrule 1020, inwhich the body 1024 includes a plurality of circumferential slots 1001for receiving the compressed tubing 64. Slots 1001 are flat, and may,for example, be machined into body 1024 by milling.

FIG. 8k shows a ferrule 1120 in which body 1124 has been roughened togrip the inner surface 65 of tubing 64. The surface of body 1124 may,for example, be roughened by sandblasting or machining.

Generally, any of the embodiments of ferrule 20-720 may be used incombination with any of the variations of nut 70, sleeve 50, and holder80. If ferrule 20 is to be used without sleeve 50, then nut 70 (FIG.4b)is preferable to nut 170 (FIG. 10a), because the geometry of nut 70is better suited to cold flowing tubing 64 to provide a secure joint.Also, if the barbed ferrules 520 (FIG. 8e) or 620 (FIG. 8f) are used,then the collapsible sleeves 550 (FIGS. 9e and 9f) and 650 (FIGS. 9g and9h) should not be used, as explained in detail below with reference toFIGS. 9e-9h.

Other variations of the ferrule are contemplated. For example, althoughtapered head 22 and tail 26 have been described as conical in shape,other tapered profiles (e.g., truncated spherical or paraboloid inshape) may also be used for the head, so long as a sharp edge 32 isprovided at the end of tail 26, to ensure substantially no carryover.For example, FIG. 81 shows a ferrule 1220 having a head 1222 in the formof a paraboloid. In another variation (not shown), a metal washer may beplaced behind the head of a plastic ferrule to provide a hard bearingsurface. The front surface 79 of coupling nut 70 engages the washer topush the ferrule forward. If a plastic (e.g., PCTFE) ferrule is used,the head may have a non-tapered shape. For example, a flat plastic headmay be used to couple tubing 64 to a suitably shaped sealing surface onthe device.

THE HOLDER

FIGS. 5a and 5b are plan and elevation views of holder 80, which isshown in the storage configuration in FIG. 2a. Holder 80 may be formedof a variety of materials, preferably hard, plastic. In its storageconfiguration, ferrule 20 is retained in holder 80 by latches 88a and88b (as shown in FIG. 2a). Holder 80 has a front wall 86 against whichthe head 22 of the ferrule 20 seats. A side wall 87 (shown in FIG. 5b)substantially surrounds the head 22 of ferrule 20 to protect the head22. Holder 80 has a shaft 81 that extends through the axial passage 28of ferrule 20. Shaft 81 has a proximal portion 82 and a tip 84. Theproximal portion 82 of the shaft is longer than ferrule 20, and largerin diameter than the inside diameter 65 of tubing 64. When shaft 81 isinserted into tubing 64, the proximal portion 82 of shaft 81 straightensand aligns the tubing 64.

Preferably, holder 80 has slots 85a and 85b. When ferrule 20 isinstalled in holder 80, slots 85a and 85b allow the user to view theside of head 22 and body 24 of ferrule 20. Slots 85a and 85b make iteasier to bend latches 88a and 88b, to release ferrule 20 from holder80.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the holder shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b.FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the holder 90. Holder 90 issimilar to holder 80 in all respects except for the shape of shaft 91.Shaft 81, as shown in FIG. 6, has a uniform diameter along its proximalportion 82, all the way to tip 84. In contrast, shaft 92 of holder 90(shown in FIG. 7) also has a distal portion 97. Distal portion 97 has asmaller diameter than the ID 65 of tubing 64. The reduced diameter ofdistal portion 97 makes it easy to insert in tubing 64. A middle portion93 integrally connects proximal portion 92 and distal portion 97. Middleportion 93 is tapered to facilitate leading the tubing over tail 26 offerrule 20. Preferably, the angle 95 of the taper is the same as thetaper angle 25 of tail 26. It is also preferable to have the length offerrule 20 be the same as the length of proximal portion 82. Accordingto this aspect of the invention, middle portion 93 and tail 26 provide asubstantially continuous tapered surface for stretching tubing 64 overferrule 20.

Although tool 180 (FIG. 1a) is shown with a shaft 181 in the form ofshaft 81 of FIG. 6, tool 180 may also have a shaft (not shown) in theform of shaft 91, as shown in FIG. 7. Tool 181 performs the samefunction as holder shafts 81 (FIG. 6) and 91 (FIG. 7) duringinstallation of the fitting.

THE SLEEVE

FIG. 4c is a cross section of an exemplary sleeve 50 that may optionallybe included in the fitting. Sleeve 50 may be formed of type 303stainless steel or other suitable material. Sleeve 50 has a shoulderedouter surface 54 and a ramped inner surface 60 integrally connecting theinternal diameters of forward and rearward sections 58 and 62. Rampedinner surface 60 is greater in inside diameter towards the forward endof the sleeve and smaller in inside diameter towards the rearward end ofthe sleeve. Sleeve 50 includes a rearward section 62 integrallyconnected to the smaller rearward end of ramped inner surface 60. Sleeve50 may have a forward section 58 integrally connected to the largerforward end of ramped inner surface 60, as shown. The forward section58, ramped section 60 and rearward section 62 have respective outersurfaces 52, 54 and 56.

As shown in FIG. 3a, the forward section 58 of sleeve 50 is short enoughso that the forward end of sleeve 50 does not contact head 22 of ferrule20 when the fitting is installed. An annular space 17 is formed, havinghead 22 in front, sleeve 50 in back, tubing 64 radially inside and nut70 radially outside. This annular space provides additional room intowhich the tubing material flows. The inventor has determined that byproviding this additional space into which the tube material may flow,annular space 17 avoids egress of tube material between the head 22 offerrule 20 and the front surface 79 of nut 70. Tubing material fragmentsthat escape between front surface 70 and head 22 are likely to remain inthe chamfered sealing surface 16 after ferrule 20 is removed, which isundesirable.

Sleeve 50 performs two functions. The first function is to compress thetubing so that it is gripped by the fitting. Tubing 64 is compressedbetween ramped inner surface 60 of sleeve 50 and tail 26 of ferrule 20,as shown in FIG. 3b. In particular, tubing 64 is compressed the mostadjacent to corner 61 in sleeve 50. The tubing material then flowsforward of the reduced diameter section between tapered internal surface60 and tail 26 into region 68. The tubing cross section is greater inregion 68, forward of corner 61, so that tubing 64 is held firmly by thefitting. If a ferrule 20 that has a groove 30 is used, then the materialis squeezed further out to fill or partially fill groove 30.

The second function of the sleeve is to prevent nut 70 from twistingtubing 64 when nut 70 is tightened. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1c,in which no sleeve is used, torque is transmitted from nut 70 to tubing64, twisting the tubing. This may be undesirable, particularly in shorttube lengths. As shown in FIG. 3a, sleeve 50 is engaged by an innersurface 76, which may be a ramp or a shoulder within nut 70, forcingsleeve 50 forward towards head 22 of ferrule 20. The friction forcebetween the sleeve 50 and tubing 64 is greater than the friction forcebetween sleeve 50 and nut 70, so that torque is not transmitted from nut70 to tubing 64.

As with ferrule 20, many variations and embodiments of sleeve 50 arecontemplated. For example, FIG. 9a is a cross sectional view of a sleeve150 in which there is no tapered outer surface. The outer surfacesurrounding tapered surface 160 has the same diameter as the outersurface 152 of the forward section. A shoulder 164 is located betweenthe tapered section 160 and the rearward section 162. Sleeve 150 isreceived by an alternate coupling nut 170, as shown in FIG. 10a. Nut 170has a bore 178 sized to receive sleeve 150.

FIGS. 9b -9d show additional variations of sleeve 50. FIG. 9b is a crosssection of another sleeve 250, that has a tapered outside surface 266 onits rearward section 262. FIG. 9c is a cross section of a sleeve 350that has only a tapered section and a rearward section. FIG. 9d is across section of a sleeve 460 having a single outside diameter. A frontramped section 462 and a rear ramped section 468 are provided. Theembodiment of FIG. 9d is symmetric, so that it cannot be installedbackwards.

FIGS. 9e and 9f show another exemplary sleeve 550. Sleeve 550 is formedfrom two distinct pieces 550a and 550b, as shown in partial crosssection in FIG. 9e. Sleeve piece 550a comprises a cylindrical shell 559having an internally chamfered end 555. Sleeve piece 550b includes aforward section 558, a tapered section 560 and a rearward section 562.The three sections may have the same outside diameter 552, as shown. Theforward end of the outside surface 552 includes a beveled edge 553.Chamfer 555 is sized to receive beveled edge 553. A plurality oflongitudinal slots 551 (parallel to the axis of sleeve 550) are spacedequally about the circumference of a portion at the forward end of piece550b. A plurality of members 554 are formed between the slots.

Sleeve 550 is slipped over tubing 64 before tubing 64 is placed onferrule 20, in a manner similar to that described above with referenceto FIG. 2b.

FIG. 9f is a partial cross section showing sleeve 550 as it appearsafter assembly. Unlike sleeve 50, sleeve 550 is long enough so that thefront edge of piece 550a contacts head 22 of ferrule 20 when nut 70 istightened. Once piece 550a contacts head 22, advancing nut 70 furtherpushes the portion at the forward end of section 558 into piece 550a.The beveled edge 553 guides the portion, including members 554, intochamfer 555. Slots 551 allow the members 554 to bend more easily. As theportion, including members 554, bends radially inward, members 554 gripthe outside of tubing 64 securely. Any tension tending to pull tubing 64out would cause members 554 to dig into the tubing material moresecurely.

FIGS. 9g and 9h show a further embodiment of the sleeve 650. FIG. 9gshows sleeve 650 before installation. Sleeve 650 has the form of asingle cylindrical shell. A forward section 658, a tapered section 660and a rearward section 662 are provided, with respective outer surfaceareas 652, 654 and 656. The inner surface of forward section 658 has twocircumferential grooves 661a and 661b. Grooves 661a and 661b areconnected by a plurality of equally spaced longitudinal slots 651 thatare parallel to the axis of sleeve 650. Members 667a and 667b are formedbetween each pair of slots, the members 667a and 667b separated bygroove 663. A third circumferential groove 663 is located on the outersurface 652 of forward section 658, approximately midway between grooves661a and 661b. As shown in FIG. 9g, the two inner grooves 661a and 661band the outer groove 663 provide a parallelogram shaped cross sectionfor members 667a and 667b.

FIG. 9h shows sleeve 9h after force is applied by nut 70. Like sleeve550 in FIG. 9f, sleeve 650 is long enough so that the forward end ofsleeve 650 contacts head 22 when the fitting is assembled. When nut 70is advanced far enough so that sleeve 650 contacts head 22, furthertightening of nut 70 causes the portion including members 667a and 667bto bend inward radially. As the portion including members 667a and 667bbends inward, members 667a and 667b grip the tubing and squeeze thetubing against body 24 of ferrule 20.

FIG. 9i is a cross sectional view of a sleeve 750 in which the innersurface 760 is a shoulder (as compared to the ramped inner surface 60 ofsleeve 50, as shown in FIG. 4c).

FIGS. 9j and 14 are cross sectional views showing another variation ofthe sleeve 850. Sleeve 850 includes a plurality of axial slots 851 forreceiving the compressed tubing 64, when the tubing is cold flowed bytightening coupling nut 70.

Other variations of sleeve 50 are contemplated. For example, instead ofthe continuous, cone shaped ramped inner surface 60 shown in FIG. 4c,the ramped inner surface may be formed by a plurality of ramped axialsplines (not shown).

Generally, any of the variations of ferrule 20 shown in FIGS. 8a-8l maybe assembled with any of the sleeves shown in FIGS. 9a-9h. The exceptionis that the collapsing (bendable) sleeves 550 and 650 shown in FIGS.9e-9h should not be used with the barbed ferrules 520 and 620 shown inFIGS. 8e and 8f, or the splined ferrule 920, shown in FIG. 8h. Thecombination of the raised barbs 544a, 544b on ferrule 520 and thecollapsing members 554 on sleeve 550 could result in perforation oftubing 64. Similarly, the combination of the raised splines 801 and thecollapsing members 554 on sleeve 550 could result in perforation oftubing 64.

THE COUPLER

FIGS. 10a and 10b are partial cross sections of two variations ofcoupling nut 70. As shown in FIG. 10a, coupling nut 170 has an innersurface 173 in the form of a shoulder. Generally, nut 170 isfunctionally equivalent to nut 70, however, a greater tensile load maybe accommodated without causing tubing 64 to fail if nut 70 is used,with its ramped inner surface 76.

FIG. 10b shows another variation of the coupling nut 270, in which acounterbore 271 is provided to receive the tubing material.

Although coupler 70 has been described in the form of a coupling nut 70,it is understood that the invention may be practiced using a variety offastening techniques in place of a threaded coupler 70. For example,instead of having an outer thread, coupler 70 may be smooth, and an overcenter spring clamp or a plurality of small screws may be used to securethe coupler 70 to the device. Also, a washer may be placed between frontsurface 79 of coupler 70 and the head 22 of the ferrule 20.

ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 15a-15e show a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.FIGS. 15a and 15b are cross sectional views of an exemplary fitting 1500during and after installation, respectively. Fitting 1500 comprises aferrule 220 (FIG. 8a), a collar 1502 (shown in FIGS. 15c and 15d) and acoupling nut (shown in FIG. 15e).

Exemplary collar 1502 is in the form of a reuseable one piece collarhaving a longitudinal split 1507, as shown in FIG. 15c. Collar 1502 hasa ramp 1508 on at least one end. In the exemplary embodiment, both endsof collar 1508 are ramped, making collar 1502 reversible (i.e., eitherend may be oriented towards the head 222 of ferrule 220). Collar 1502has one or more annular, internal rings 1504 projecting radially inward.

In the uninstalled rest state of collar 1502, the inside diameter of theinternal rings 1504 is slightly greater than the outer diameter oftubing 64, allowing collar 1502 to slide over tubing 64, as shown inFIG. 15a. When coupling nut 370 is tightened into the mating deviceattachment port, as shown in FIG. 15b, collar 1502 is compressedradially to securely grip tubing 64 around its periphery, and clamptubing 64 to ferrule 220. This retains tubing 64 on ferrule 220, andprovides enhanced sealing between tubing 64 and ferrule 220.

Exemplary collar 1502 deforms elastically when compressed, without anypermanent deformation. Collar 1502 may be removed and reused. Collar1502 may be formed of a different material than ferrule 220. Forexample, ferrule 220 may be formed of Titanium, with collar 1502 formedof low carbon steel. Alternatively, ferrule 220 may be formed fromsteel, and collar 1502 may be formed of brass.

The embodiment of FIGS. 15a and 15b has the advantage that a singlecollar size will accommodate the variance in diameter typical of a givennominal size commercially available tubing.

Alternatively, a sleeve (not shown) may be formed similar to collar 1502without the longitudinal split 1507. In this variation, the sleeve isformed of a malleable material. The unsplit sleeve is radiallycompressed and permanently deformed by the coupling nut 370 duringinstallation, while tightening the nut 370 into the mating devicefitting port. The compression of the sleeve securely grips the tubing 64and provides a leak tight seal between tube 64 and ferrule 220. Theunsplit sleeve may optionally have ramps 1508, and may optionally haveinternal projections 1504. The unsplit sleeve may be formed from adifferent material than ferrule 220.

FIG. 15e is a cross sectional view of coupling nut 370. Coupling nut 370is similar to coupling nut 70 of FIG. 1a, but coupling nut 370 has extraramps 376 and 379 and counterbore 378, in addition to ramp 375 andcounterbore 377. Counterbore 378 is sized to fit around collar 1502 inits installed rest state (shown in FIG. 15b). As nut 370 is advancedinto the mating device port, ramp 379 pushes the rear surface of collar1502 forward against ferrule 220 without radially compressing collar1502, until ferrule 220 contacts the sealing surface. Furtheradvancement of nut 370 beyond the point when ferrule 220 contacts thesealing surface causes radial compression of collar 1502. Ramp 379compresses collar 1502 and guides collar 1502 into counterbore 378.Ramps 376 and 379 have an angle 373 between about 15 degrees and about70 degrees.

Although exemplary fitting 1500 as shown herein uses ferrule 220 (FIG.8a), other similar ferrules (including, but not limited to, the othervariations of the ferrule described above with reference to FIGS. 8b-8l)may be used.

Fitting 1500 provides an effective means for forming a high qualityconnection between tubing 64 and ferrule 220 that offers superiorsealing performance under harsh dynamic operating environments.

Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplaryembodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claimsshould be construed to include other variants and embodiments of theinvention which may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed:
 1. A fitting assembly for coupling tubing to a devicehaving a sealing surface, comprising:a ferrule for seating against thesealing surface, the ferrule having a head and a tail, one end of thetubing fitting over the tail of the ferrule; a cylindrical collar havinga beveled rear surface and an inner surface for gripping the tubing, thecollar being split along a longitudinal direction; and coupling meansfor engaging the head of the ferrule to push the ferrule against thesealing surface, the coupling means having a ramped inner surface forengaging the rear surface to push the collar against the head of theferrule without compressing the collar radially until the ferruleengages the sealing surface, the coupling means compressing the collarradially only after the ferrule engages the sealing surface, to grip thetubing between an outer surface of the ferrule and the inner surface ofthe collar, the tubing forming a seal between the ferrule and thecoupling means.
 2. A fitting assembly according to claim 1, wherein theinner surface of the collar includes means for gripping an outsidesurface of the tubing.
 3. A fitting assembly according to claim 2,wherein the gripping means includes an annular projection attached tothe inner surface of the collar.
 4. A fitting assembly according toclaim 1, wherein the ferrule and the collar are made of respectivelydifferent materials.
 5. A fitting assembly according to claim 4, whereinthe collar is malleable.
 6. A fitting assembly according to claim 1,wherein the coupling means has first and second counterbores with theramped inner surface therebetween, the first counterbore sized toaccommodate the collar in a compressed state, the second counterboresized to compress the tubing.
 7. A fitting assembly for coupling tubingto a device having a sealing surface, comprising:a ferrule for seatingagainst the sealing surface, the ferrule having a head and a tail, oneend of the tubing fitting over the tail of the ferrule; a cylindricalcollar having a beveled rear surface and an inner surface for grippingthe tubing, the collar being split along a longitudinal direction, thecollar having an uninstalled state and a compressed state, said collarbeing elastically deformable between said uninstalled state and saidcompressed state; and coupling means for engaging the head of theferrule to push the ferrule against the sealing surface, the couplingmeans having a ramped inner surface for engaging the rear surface toadvance the collar towards the ferrule without compressing the collarradially until the collar contacts the ferrule, the coupling meanscompressing the collar radially to grip the tubing between an outersurface of the ferrule and the inner surface of the collar, only afterthe collar contacts the ferrule, the tubing forming a seal between theferrule and the coupling means.
 8. A fitting assembly for couplingtubing to a device having a sealing surface, comprising:a ferrule forseating against the sealing surface, the ferrule having a head and atail, one end of the tubing fitting over the tail of the ferrule; areusable cylindrical collar having a beveled rear surface and an innersurface, the inner surface having an annular projection for gripping thetubing, the collar having an uninstalled state and a compressedinstalled state, said collar being elastically deformable between saiduninstalled state and said compressed installed state, said collarsurrounding the ferrule when in the compressed installed state; andcoupling means having first and second counterbores with a ramped innersurface therebetween, the first counterbore sized to accommodate thecollar in a compressed state, the second counterbore sized to compressthe tubing, the coupling means engaging the head of the ferrule to pushthe ferrule towards the sealing surface, the ramped inner surfaceengaging the rear surface of the collar to push the collar against thehead of the ferrule without compressing the collar radially until theferrule engages the sealing surface, the coupling means compressing thecollar radially to grip the tubing between an outer surface of theferrule and the inner surface of the collar after the ferrule engagesthe sealing surface, the tubing forming a seal between the ferrule andthe coupling means, whereby the amount of radial compression of thecollar in the compressed installed state is determined by the outerdiameter of the collar and the inner bore of the coupling nut.
 9. Afitting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the collar has a beveledfront surface and a plane of symmetry between the front surface and therear surface, whereby the collar is reversible.
 10. A fitting assemblyaccording to claim 7, wherein the collar has a beveled front surface anda plane of symmetry between the front surface and the rear surface,whereby the collar is reversible.
 11. A fitting assembly according toclaim 8, wherein the collar has a beveled front surface and a plane ofsymmetry between the front surface and the rear surface, whereby thecollar is reversible.
 12. A fitting assembly in accordance with claim 1,wherein:the ferrule has a head and a tail, the tail has a knife sharpedge, the edge having a cross-section that terminates in a single acuteangle, and the ferrule has an inside diameter substantially equal to theinternal diameter of the tubing, whereby carryover is prevented, thecoupling means including an inner surface, and a region is definedbetween the coupling means and the body of the ferrule, and the tubingmaterial is compressed between the tail of the ferrule and the innersurface, causing the compressed tubing material to flow into the region.13. A fitting assembly in accordance with claim 7, wherein:the ferrulehas a head and a tail, the tail has a knife sharp edge, the edge havinga cross-section that terminates in a single acute angle, and the ferrulehas an inside diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter ofthe tubing, whereby carryover is prevented, the coupling means includingan inner surface, and a region is defined between the coupling means andthe body of the ferrule, and the tubing material is compressed betweenthe tail of the ferrule and the inner surface, causing the compressedtubing material to flow into the region.
 14. A fitting assembly inaccordance with claim 8, wherein:the ferrule has a head and a tail, thetail has a knife sharp edge, the edge having a cross-section thatterminates in a single acute angle, and the ferrule has an insidediameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of the tubing,whereby carryover is prevented, the coupling means including an innersurface, and a region is defined between the coupling means and the bodyof the ferrule, and the tubing material is compressed between the tailof the ferrule and the inner surface, causing the compressed tubingmaterial to flow into the region.
 15. A fitting assembly in accordancewith claim 1, wherein:the collar has a cylindrical central section whichis substantially longer in an axial direction than the beveled rearsurface of the collar, and the coupling means has a counterbore sized toreceive the cylindrical central section of the collar.
 16. A fittingassembly in accordance with claim 7, wherein:the collar has acylindrical central section which is substantially longer in an axialdirection than the beveled rear surface of the collar, and the couplingmeans has a counterbore sized to receive the cylindrical central sectionof the collar.
 17. A fitting assembly in accordance with claim 8,wherein:the collar has a cylindrical central section which issubstantially longer in an axial direction than the beveled rear surfaceof the collar, and the coupling means has a counterbore sized to receivethe cylindrical central section of the collar.